Signaling mechanism for vehicles



*Jan 9,, 1923.,

C. STERN ET AL.

SIGNALING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES. FILED APR. 21. 1920.

4 SHEETS SHEET 1- Jan 9, 1923. LMMW. c. STERN ET AL.

SIGNALING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES. FILED APR.2I,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET '2.

Jan 9, 1923 mamw.

v C. STERN ET AL.

SflGiMLIWG MECHAMSM FOR VEHICLES. FILED APR.2I, 1920.

4 SQEETSSHE EI 3.

Jan, 9, 1923.

1,441,890. (3. STERN ET AL.

SIGNALING MECHANISM FOR VEHJCLES. H LED APR.2I,1920.

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CHARLES STERN MID GEOliG-EE F. EGAN, UJE J Cll'lllif, NEW JERSEY.

fillGrNALING MECHANISlllE FOR VEHICLES.

application filed April 21, 1920. Serial No. 375,604.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that CH/inLns t'l'rnurt and iinonon F. EGAN, citizens of the United States, residing at Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State oil New Jersey, have invented new and useful improvements in Signaling; Mechanism for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in signaling mechanismior vehicles, and it more particularly refers to that class of signals which are used to denote proposed movements, changes in direction, or sto ipaggges of the vehicle carrying the signal.

lit is an object of the present invention to provide a signal of this character which may accurately apprise drivers 01? other automobiles or vehicles oi intended changes in the movements or stoppages by the vchiclo carrying the signal before the latter actually engages in such movements or stoppages, to the end that trailic may be the hotter controlled and accidentsprevented.

Another object of the present invention resides in providing a signal mechanism having numerous displays arranged and. organized in a compact relation, so that they may he quickly exhibited and clearly seen both in daylight and at night.

A. t'urther object of the invention lies in providing an improved signaling mechanism achu'ited to be mounted in conjunction with a signal lamp and having compact and simple-operating mechanism for selectively displaying the several directions from a point at or near the drivers seat in the vehicle. i

l Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, as will become apparent to those skilled in this art, the invention will he more fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying; drawings, wherein like reference symbols denote like or correspondinn parts throun'l'uiut the several views, and in which l 1. is a top plan view o i an automobile on which is shown the improved signaling); mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the automobile showing the application of the signaling nechanisn'i to the front thereof. l

l ig. 3 is a view in rear elevation of the automobile illustrating the improved signaling mechanism as it appears to those in hack of the vehicle.

big. e is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the improved signaling mechanism.

Fig. 5 a horizontal sectional view taken therethrough.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View through the signaling mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same.

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation of the lamp, tulo and journal SJUCl. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the hous mg employed.

l ig. it) is also a perspective view of the signal display drum or casing.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view through the rack and pinion actuating mechanism and appurtenant parts.

Fig. 1.53 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section of the controlling device at the drivers seat.

E is; 13; is a vertical sectional view through the quadrant oi the controlling device, and

l igi 14iis an edge elevation of the quadrant.

lieiterring more particularly to the draw inns, the improved signaling device is preferably constructed in accordance with the mechanical embodiment illustrated in detail in Figs. 4i to 10 inclusive, to which reforence will be now more specifically made.

The signaling mechanism is encased in a housing: ll. appearing in perspective in Fig. 9 and COIIlPOSQtl of a cylinder of metal or some other "appropriate material'closed at its ends by flanged heads 2 and 3. The flanges tit over the exterior edges of the cylinder l, and have tight frictional. ennageineu t therewith serving); to avoid rattling o i these g irts when the vehicle is in motion, and atthe same time allowing the heads to he readily removed {for the purpose of gaining access to the interior oi. the cylinder 1.

in the cylinder 1 are made elongated openings 4: ands, preferably enclosed by glass, we

' this same end mica, or other translucent material which may have its longitudinal edges fitted in U- shaped strips 6 and 7 carried by the housing at opposite sides of the openings therein. The heads 2 and 3 are shown as respec tively provided with openings 8 and 9 of unequal diameters to permit of receiving parts as more particularly referred to hereinatter.

At the side thereof next the vehicle, the cylindrical portion 1 of the housingis offset out of the true cylindricalcontour providing a reinforcing rib 10'of a substantially rectangular form in cross section lying longitudinally of the housing. and which furnishes a convenient abutment for the securing of a supporting bar 11.

Bolts or other fastening means 12 may be employed to elife'ct the connection between the bar 11 and reinforcing rib 10. The bar 11 is provided with a head. 13 slotted as at 14 to receive the upturnedend or hook 15 of a bracket 16 carried by a suitable part of the vehicle to which the signaling mechanism is attached.

A set screw 17 is threaded in the head 13 in position to bind against the hook 15 to secure the signaling mechanism on the bracket,

Of course this is merely illustrative of one means of securing the signaling mechanism on the vehicle, and it will be, quite obvious that other means ot accomplishing mayv be resorted to if desired or found more convenient.

The bar 11 extends at one end beyond the housing 1 where it acts to support a signal lamp 18 by means of a set, screw 19 passing through the extension of the bar 11 and threaded into a portion of the lamp casing. The lamp here illustrated is of the type of signal lamp at present in general use on. the rear of automobiles and displays a red bulls eye 20 to the rear of the machine.

The construction of this lamp is modified to the extent that an opening 21 is made through one side thereof, and in the opening is fixed a ring or collar 22 forming part of a tube 23 of slightly lesser diameter having one end thereof fitted into the interim. ot the collar or ring 22 and secured therein in any suitable manner.

The collar or ring 22 has an inwardlyturned flange 24. at the side thereof next the lamp forming an abutment tor the periph eral edge 0"? a partition 25 of glass, mica, or other suitable translucent material, the other edge of which is confined in place by the adjacent end of the tube 23.

In the lamp casing 18 is shown both oil and electric sources of illumination respectively represented at 26 and 27, although either may be dispensed with and the" other used alone,* A reflector-0r mirror-28" is contain the word Doctor.

placed in the interior of the lamp caring 13 at the side thereof opposite. the. opening 21, and such a reflector acts to direct the rays from the illuminating source axially through the partition 25 and into thc tubc 23. The interior of this tube 23 is prcl'erably highly polished to act as a reflecting surface for directing the rays of light rcceived from the illuminating source in thc lamp through slots 29 and 30 made thcrcin insubstantial radial alincment with the openings 4 and 5 respectively in the housing 1.

A flanged cap 31 is provided to close the outer end of the tube 2?, the flange lhcrcol fitting over the end portion ot said tube and being secured thereon in any suitablc manner.

The inner tace ot the cap 31 is also prelerably polished to a. high degree to act as a reflecting s-sinrtace aiding in the dill'usion of the light through the slots :21) and so. The cap 31 carries a jmu'nal-stud 31 extending coaxially with the tube 2? and having both ends 33 and 334i threaded.

A nut portion is provided between tho threaded ends 01'' the journal stud to receive a. wrench or other tool whereby the rind may be turned. for insancc. in screwing it into the cap 31 which is provided with a central and threaded opening to receive th same. Adjacent the inner cud ot' the nut portion 535 the stud 32 is :l'urthcr supplied with a. circular flange 36 adapted to lulqc against the outer face ot' thc cap ill when the stud is screwed, home therein.

Fitted about and enveloping the tube fiil is a signal drum or casing. shown more particularly in Fig. 10. and composed ol flanged heads 3? and 38, between which cxtend strips 39 spaced-apart and re -living glass, mica, or other translucent panels 40 whereon is displayed the various signal in dicia. The ends of the strips 19 are rcceived between the thing ol the heads UT and 3S and between cooperating hinges on discs ll and 42 fitted against the inncr idc of said h-ads and secured thcrclo in any desirable numncr.

l'letn'cen the hcadr-a also cxtcnd lmlr n1 bolts l i having heads or nuts l-l cxtcrior oi the heads Ill and F33 l'or llflllllltff the same in place The panels ll) arc supplied with suitable s gnal indicathms as. For instuncc. the words llach. Slowf l pf lr t' and Right. Also an additi nal panel may as slim. n in l lii. ill to indicate that thc u-oprichu' of flu machine carryiluj the signal is: cutitlcd to right of way in en\cngeucj (':l&'-c:--'. (llcour:-'c. this particular panel may contain :ltlfll'l'lhing matter or any other display that may be found suitable or desirable to have it, contain.

raaneeo 'lfhe signal drum or casing is provided with a relatively large opening at the end thereof next the lamp, this opening being of a suitable size to admit of journaling the head 37 on the band. or collar 22 of the tube. This end of the signal casing or drum is freely rotatable on the band or ring 22.

The other end of the signal drum is provided with a threaded perforation of small diameter adapted to removably receive the threaded end of a bearing 15, the central part of which is shown in F 7 to take against the outer side of the head 38.

The bearing also fits snugly within the opening 9 in the head Set the housing 1.

ft. pinion 416 is formed on, or aiiixed to, the hearing as beyond the head 3 of the housing where it receives a rack 17 fitted to reciprocate horizontally in a casing 41:8. The casing 4.8 also is made with a lower bulged portion 49 to receive the pinion 16.

The rack 17 is provided with a rod 50 extending from one end thereof and operating in a closed tube 51 threaded at its opposite ends-into coupling pieces 52 and 53, the latter of which is secured to the casing 48. Tn the coupling piece 52 is received one end of a hollow flexible shaft 54 removably held therein as by a set screw 55.

A. flexible rod 56 is slidably mounted in the shaft 5e and is connected to the rod 50, as by a coupling head 57 shown in Fig. 11. Of course, other types of connections may be made.

The flexible rod or connection 56, together with the flexible hollow shaft 54 which encases the former, extends beneath the vehicle or through the same toa convenient point of operation within the body thereof preferably at or about the drivers seat.

The steering column 58 indicated in dotted. lines in Fig. 12 is found to be a convenient part. to which to attach a controlling mechanism for the signals, which control. ling mechanism is preferably located just beneath the steering wheel.

it. clamp 59 or other form of device engages about the steering column 58, and has a socket 60 in which to receive a stud 61 projecting from the controlling mechanism.

As shown in Figs. 12, 13, and let the controlling mechanism preferably embodies a frame 62 in which. secured a quadrant 63, hollow in its interior to provide a space in which a controlling lever 6 1 may freely swing. A. pivot 65, preferably in the form of a screw which may be removed. from one side of the quadrant, is employed to act as a fulcrum for the lever 64:.

The lever is provided with a handle 66 projecting beyond the arcuate edges of the quadrant plates and forming a convenient means 1n a convenient poSition for swinging the lever.

A latch 67 is pivoted on the lever as at 66 and carries a tooth 69 bridging the slot between the quadrant plates so as to simultaneously enter registering pairs of notches 70, provided in the arcuate edges of these plates.

A. coil spring 71v interposed between the handle 66 and the latch 67 for normally urging the tooth 69 into the pair of notches presented to it at any given time. The squeezing of the latch 67 by the hand of the operator, while in the act of grasping the handle 66, will operate to rotate the latch about its pivot point 68, and withdraw the dog or tooth 69 from the pair of notches it may engage, and thus the lever will. be free to be swung over the arcuate edges of the quadrant plates.

A panel or plate 72 is carried by one of the quadrant plates at the arcuate edge thereof, and, as shown in Fig. 14:, is supplied with designations corresponding to those carried by the panels 10 of the signal drum. The various designations on the panel or plate 72 are arranged opposite the pairs of notches so that the operator may know that by bringing the tooth or dog 69 of the latch into engagement with any of the pair of notches opposite the particular signal desired that the signal designated by the word to the left of the pair of notches will be that displayed by the signal drum through the opening 4: in the housing 1.

The quadrant 63 is provided with tubular extensions 73 and Yet at both lower and up per ends thereof, in which to receive the flexible shafts 54. Set. screws 755 secure the shafts removably in the tubular extensions. The tubular extensions communicate with the space between the quadrant plat s and admit the flexible rods 56 thereto. The flexible rods 56 are secured to the lever 6 1 in any suitable way as indicated at 7 6.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and b an automobile or other motor vehicle, designated generally at 77 signaling mechanism on both the front and rear portions thereof. The signaling mechanism at the rear is held on a bracket. such as 16, secured to the back of the body portion of such vehicle, while the front signal is carried by a suitable bracket affixed to the neck of the radiator 76.

The two signal mechanisn'is are constructed as described in connection. with Figs. .1; to 16 inclusive, and. the parts thereof which. appear are similarly :nun'ibered.

Flexible shafts such. as 54- entend from both. the front and. rear signals to the con-- trolling mechanism on the steering post 56, and these two flexible shafts enter the quad: rant plates from above and below as described in conjunction with Figs. 12, 13,

p and its is provided with. the improved.

The idea is to so dispose the signal drums that the panels thereon will. display the same signal both at the front and rear of the vehicle. For instance, the front signaling mechanism shown in Fig. 2 in.di cates that the vehicle is about to be turned at a street intersection to the right, and in Fig. 3 the rear signal displays this identical indication to drivers of oncoming ve hicles in the rear.

In like manner, the several other signal indications will be simultaneously and identically displayed by both mechanisms.

,The front signaling mechanism is particularly desirable as it informs trailic ollicers as to proposed changes in directions of a vehicle and assists in the expeditious directing of trai'iic.

The rear mechanism is useful in informing drivers of following vehicles as to intended movements 01" a preceding vehicle, and dispenses with the dangerous practice of throwing out the arm from the side of the vehicle.

Should a driver of a vehicle carrying the improved signaling mechanism as here totore described desire to turn at a street intersection toward the right, he will, if he carries out the idea involved in the present invention, previously signify his intention to do so by moving the controlling lever Get to a position shown in Figs. 12, 13, and ll with the latch tooth 69 engaging the notches opposite the word Right.

This lever 6 L acting on the flexible rods 56 will communicate the necessary motion to the racks 47 at both the front and back signaling mechanisms to cause the pin ions 46 to rotate the signal drums to posi tions where they will display the word Right in registry with the openings 4 in the housings 1. If: at night, the lamp will illuminate this signal panel.

In case an oil lamp is used, the glass or mica partition 25 will exclude soot from the interior of the tube and signal drum, and it will also prevent flame igniting the panels 40 which are generally of celluloid or some such highly inflammable material.

The light from the lamp will not only illuminate the signal indication on the signal drum, but it will also shine through the slot 30 in the tube 23 and through the opening 5 in the housing 1, casting its rays on the automobile license plate, indicated at and carried on supports 81 held on the housing or suitable part ol' the vehicle.

Ive have (lGFaQlilfiL-Kl. preierred and satisfactory constructions, but it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the herein described embodiment of the invention provided such changes and modifications fall Within the scope of the appended claims.

\Vhat is claimed is:

1. A vehicle signal comprising a lamp, a non-rotatable tube arranged to receive light through one end from the lamp, said tube having two slots therein angularly displaced, arotary signal drum fitting about said tube and having translucent panels, means to rotate the drum, and a fixed housing having two angularly-displaced slots to agree with the slots in the tube and enveloping the drum and tube.

2. A vehicle signal including a housing having a plurality of slots therein, means whereby said housing may be secured on a vehicle, a signal drum rotatable in the housing and composed of translucent panels bearing signal indicia, means in connection with said drum and operable from the driver s seat of the vehicle to rotate the drum to selectively bring the panels thereof in registry with one of the slots in said housing, a lamp at one end of said housing and drum,and a tube extending through the housing and drum and in communication with the lamp at one end to receive light therefrom, said tube having slots therein to permit the rays from the lamp to issue through the slots in said housing and the translucent panel in registry therewith.

A vehicle signal including a signal lamp having an opening in one end thereof, a tube extending in alinement with the opening, a. translucent partition between said lamp and the interior of the tube, said lube being slotted, a signal drum rotatable about the tube and being co-axial with the tube and lamp opening and composed of panels bearing signal indicia, a housing for the drum having a slot therein, and means tor turning said drum to selectively bring the several panels in registry with the opening in the housing and the slot in the tube.

l. A vehicle signal including a lamp having an opening in one side thereof, a tube extending in alinement with the opening and having a slot therein, a signal drum rotatable about the tube and composed. of removable heads, ilrame strips connector! between said heads, translucent panels secured in said frame strips and having signal indicia thereon. means for securing said heads on said frames, ahousing for the drum having a slot therein, and means to rotate the drum.

In combination with a vehicle, rotatable signal means placed at the trout and rear of said vehicle and having several dis play positions for indicating difi'erent proposed moven'lents of the vehicle. a oulroh ling quadrant secured in the vehicle, a lever moving; over said quadrant, means to secure said lever in various positions of adjustment corresponding to the display positions of the signal means, an indicating panel ia ineeo carried by the segment and extending an gularly to the path of the lever for showing to the operator the various display positions of the signal means relatively to said lever, flexible shafts extending from said signal means to said quadrant at opposite sides of the lever, means to receive and securing the ends of said flexible shafts in said quadrant, and flexible connections engaging With the signal means and passing through said flexible shafts, said connections being coupled at opposite sides to said lever for simulta- :neous movement.

6. A signal comprising a source of illuinination, a tube having one end in connection with said source and having slots in the ii'ront and rear portions thereof, a drum enveloping the tube and comprising a number of separated strips, heads connecting the strips, panels slidably received in the strips, means for securing the strips in the heads, a collar carried by the illumination source and rotatably receiving one of the drum heads and also forming a support for the adjacent end of the tube, a housing having slots enveloping the drum, means to support the housing on the vehicle, and means to rotate the drum.

CHARLES ETERN. GEUHGE 1F. EGAN. 

